diff --git a/mnras.bst b/mnras.bst
index 37ed25a..475ab98 100644
--- a/mnras.bst
+++ b/mnras.bst
@@ -1776,7 +1776,7 @@ REVERSE {reverse.pass}
 %
 % This is for the second sorting pass.
 FUNCTION {bib.sort.order}
-{ sort.label
+{ sort.label sortify
   "    "
   *
   year field.or.null sortify
@@ -1827,4 +1827,4 @@ FUNCTION {end.bib}
   "\end{thebibliography}" write$ newline$
 }
 
-EXECUTE {end.bib}
+EXECUTE {end.bib}
\ No newline at end of file